Century-old turtle's death continues in "sacred pond"

Siliguri, Nov 6 (UNI) Mysterious deaths of turtles continue to baffle environmentalists and people as a century-old turtle's corpse surfaced on Shiv dighi, a sacred pond for local people in Coochbhear recently.

With the latest death, a total 28 turteles, mostly century old reptiles have died in the past six months, local people and naturalists claimed. The last casulaty was on Saturday when local people noticed the corpse on the banks of the pond.

The turtle in the pond was located at Baneswar near Modan Mohan mandir, fondly called ''Mohan'' and adored by the people for many centuries.

Local people have expressed concern over the death of these reptiles one after another for the past few months and accused the district administration and Debottar Trust Board of neglecting the pond and its inhabitants.

Meanwhile, Save Mohan Committee, which was launched recently urged immediate action to save the creatures.

Committee secretary Joytish Sarkar said since the turtles have become very old they needed regular treatment and medicine for survival.

Sub-divisional officer Krishnendu Sadhukhan, who is also the member of Debottar committee, claimed that reptile experts have already visited and inspected the situation. Even veterinary experts were called to asses the situation.

UNI XC PC SAM RAI503